I don't think anything will be surprising about Notre Dame. They've got a weak schedule, and will still go about 6-6. I wouldn't be surprised if they went 0 and 4 before their first win. Anyway...

I'm thinking Alabama will go, at best, 8-4 this year. I'd like to see better, but the SEC is just amazingly tough right now and Nick Saban is working with a team that Mike Shula recruited on school tradition alone. The four loses I'm predicting - LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, and Florida State. I could interchange Florida State with Georgia and Arkansas for Auburn - those are always wildcard games that could go either way no matter what the records are. At worst, I'll allow a 7-5 season.

Florida has got stiff competition coming from LSU, who I'll predict to take the SEC and possibly the National Title against USC.

I know this is a rebuild year for the Gators... they're a hideously young team especially on defense and have a new QB coming in. With the kick ass recruiting classes they've had, I'm guessing they're back in the championship conversation next season.

After 3 national titles in 1 year's time, it's going to be weird not winning one this year.

The season is underway! I loved the smell of football in the air this afternoon...

Some highlights from today:

- Appalachian State ******* DESTROYED Michigan. I laughed because the Big Ten is full of overrated trash-talking pooheads.- Cal pulled off an upset win (IMO) over Tennesee, who I thought for sure would win.- Kansas State (who I hate) almost beat Auburn IN Auburn, but luckily that was not the case.- USC did their usual crap.- Texas looked mega weak. I know Colt McCoy can do better.- TCU knocked down Baylor and kicked dirt in their face.- Oklahoma's rookie QB went 20 for 22 in the first half. Wow. Virex must be happy. I now fear Oklahoma.

... and I attended my first college game as an actual college student!

Appalachian state won by 2 points, and had to block a 30 yard field goal as time expired to do it. They hung tough and managed to squeak by what should have been a superior team, but they didn't come anywhere near ******* DESTROYING Michigan.

Auburn lucked up, last night... because of a roughing-the-kicker penalty, they were able to hold the ball for another 4 minutes. After that, for whatever reason, the KS Coach didn't seem to think it was important to put a guard on his QB - the result was a couple of sacks and the game-ending fumble. Auburn didn't deserve the W, but KS knows they threw that game away.

So, so glad that Tennessee lost.

Bama did pretty good, last night. The atmosphere was great, the crowd was in it.